Photographic copying, enlarging, and reducing apparatus



March" 17, 1925. 1,530,173

R. HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHIG COPYING, ENLARGING, AND REDUCING APPARATUS f Filed April lr 1924 5 Sheets-'Sheet l March 17. 1925. 1,530,173

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' R. HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHIC COPYING, ENLARGING, xND REDUCING APPARATUS Filed April l, 1924 5 Sheets-'Sheet 3 .U l HW 'l NU u |\l 4 W NNN@ N Nw N 5 w m QM @N5 mm. 9 V o m1 Nw & Nv H@ BNN w Nb a AMU-VMN` March 17, 1925.

R. HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHIC COPYING, ENLARGING, AND REDUCING APPARATUS Filed April 1, 1924 5 sheets-sheet 4 March 17, 1925. 1,530,173

R. HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHIC COPYINGl ENLARGING, AND REDUCING APPARATUS VFiled April l, 1924 5 Sheets-'Sheet 5 will g F| Hup [u *M5 Ani if l g 'im' IWW W i Mm I E 1 Patented Mar. 17, 1925.

UNITED .STATES PATENT OFFICE.A

ROBERT HARRIS, 0F LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-'HALF T0 PICTORIAL MA- CHINERY LIMITED, OF LONDON,

ENGLAND, A BRITISH- COMPANY.

PHOTOGRAPHIC COPYING, ENLARGING, AND REDUCING APPARATUS.

Application led April l, 1924. Serial No. 703,417.

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known/that I, RoBER'r HARRIS, a subject of the Kin of England, residing in London, En lang, have invented certain new and useful mprovements in Photographic Copying, Enlarging, and Reducing A parats, of which the following 'is a speci cation. A

This invention` is for improvements in or relating to photographic' copying, enlarging and reducing apparatus and relates more f particularly to -stepand-repeat machines in which the image is automatically maintained in focus upon its screen when the degree of enlargement is varied.

An important object of the invention is to rovide an im roved construction of stepan -repeat machine of the kind referred to, wherein the movements of the principal components are controlled more conveniently than in machines known heretofore.

According to a primary feature of the invention a step-and-repeat machine comprises an image screen-holder, a lens-holder and a. rotatable unit-holder, the two latter components being situatedv on one and the same side of the screen-holder and arran ed to'be movable relatively thereto at such ifferent rates. as automatically to maintain an image'in focus, controlling means for rotating lthe unit-holder, and controlling means for causing the aforementioned relat1ve movement, which two controlling means comprise controlling members disposed one within the"otherr(for example co-axiallyr) and operable manually from the samek end.

Another feature of this invention consists at it may be brought into and out of en-l gagement with the rack. The advantage of this arrangement is that the controlling means for rotating the unit may be connected, and the unit then be rotated directly by hand.

A still further feature of the invention consists in providing the circular rack with a graduated scale and in so mounting a pointer upon the unit-holder thatit may be moved over a short lengthof the scale, for the purpose described hereinafter.4

Other features ofthe invention are described hereinafter and pointed out in the claims.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated by Way of example in the accom# panying drawings, wherein.-

Figure l is a perspective view of one form of step-and-repeat machine according to the invention as seen from that side on which are situated the controls for the lens-holder and unit-holder of the projector; and

Figure 2fis a like view ofthe same ma- I chine as seen from the other side thereof, showing the image screen-holder at the rear of the machine;

Fiure 3 is a like view of the framework on w ich the projector and its controls are mounted, removed from the machine;

Figure tis a perspective view, and

Figure 5 is a rear end elevation of mechanism for rotating the unit-holder;

Figure 6 is a vvertical section taken through the centre of the unit-holder; and

rFigure -7 is avertical transverse section taken through the base of the lens-holder.

Like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the draw'ings a main frame having the form of an inverted U comprises a base A, two vertical standards A1 thereon, and a longitudinal extension A2 of the base. A horizontally disposed framework B is mounted on .three feet B1 adjustable in height secured tothe base A, A2. This framework B has its rear end situated substantiall in line with the middle of the standar s A1, and extends to the front of the standards beyond the extension A2 of the base.

A stage C for an image-screen is so mounted on the rear of the standards A1 in the manner described'hereinafter as to be movable up and down an'd from side to side in a vertical plane.

A table D is mounted to slide horizontally on the top of the framework B towards and away from the image-screen and carries a lens-holder'E, a unit-holder F and a lantern G which is mounted on a trolley G1 pivotally connected at G2 with the unit-holder. This unit-holder rotatably carries a unitcarrier U described hereinafter and comprises a main frame F1 secured upon a base F2 having rollers F3 arranged to run on the top of the table D. The lens-holder E which comprises a pedestal E1 and a base E2-'is adjustably securedby a tongue-and-groove at tachment to the table D, and the unit-holder F with the trolley G1 and the lantern are arranged to run on the table D in a direction towards and away from the image-screen.

A cam H is mounted beneath the lensholder'on the upper end of a -spindle H1 (Figure 7 that extends down throuvh the table, which spindle has a pinionV H2 secured to lits lower end. This pinion H2 meshes with a rack H3 carried inside the framework B near the top thereof. The cam H is so arranged that a roller F'2 vertically disposed upon the base F2 of the unit-holder F abuts against it owing to the unit-holder being constantly pulled towards the lensholder E by cords J which run over pulleys J1 mounted on the table, which cords have one end atttached to the unit-holder and their other ends carry a weight J2 movable vertically inside the framework B.

A horizontally disposed rack D1 is securely carried on the side of the table D and engages with a pinion K1 mounted on the upper end of a vertical shaft K carried in a bearing B1 secured to the framework B. The lower end ofthe shaft K is provided with a worm-wheel K2. The' means for rotating the vertical shaft K and thereby driving the table comprise a tube L mounted to rotate in bearings B2, B2 carried by the framework B, which tube carries at one end beyond ,the stage C a hand-wheel L1, and has at its other end a worm L2 for engaging with the said worm-wheel K2.

It will be seen that when the table is moved endwise along the top of the frame-4 work B lbv turning the hand-wheel'Lf1, thev `slidingly engage the same and are counterbalanced by weights A2 connected with them cords running over pulleys A". The stage4 maybe arranged to move horizontally along the cross-bars A2 in any convenient manner. Owing to mounting the stage C in this manner the image-screen can be readily adjusted into a number of different positions within af relatively large area.

The frame F1 of the unit-holder F is provided on its front face with a circular race F5 (Figure 6) in which is mounted a flange M1 of a rotatable frame M that has a circular rack M2 and supports the unit-carrier U. Means for controlling the rotation of the rotatable frame M, comprise a rod O located in the aforesaid tube L, on one end of which rod is mounted a hand-wheel O1 lying within the hand-wheel L1 and on the other end` a sprocket-wheel O2. This wheel O2 is connected by a chain P to a second sprocket-wheel Q1 which is carried yupon a lay-shaft Q. This shaft Q is `carried at the sprocket-wheel end by a bearing Bf1 secured to the framework B and is journalled at the other end in abearling F3 carried by the unith'older F. The sprocket-wheel Q1 is splined on'the lay-shaft Q so that they will rotate together but the shaft can slide end wise through the wheel. A bevel gear-wheel Q2 is fixed on the unit-holder end of the layshaft. This bevelI gear-wheel meshes with a second bevel gear-wheel R1 carried at the lower end of a vertical shaft R which is journalled in bearings. provided on the frame of the unit-holder F. The top end of the shaft R is provided withv a worm R2 (Figures 3,14 and 5) which engages with a worm-wheel S1 fast on a shaft S which is mounted eccentrically in the hub T1 of a handlel T lrotatably mounted in the unitholder frame. The other end of the shaft S carries a pinion S2 which normally meshes .with the circular 'rack M2 of the frame M.

les

The handle T has an arcuate` slot T2 through lwhich extends a pin carrying a nut T4 by whichfthe handle can be fixed in'any position into which it is moved. By loosening the nut T3 and rocking the handle, the pinion S2 and worm-wheel S1 may be withdrawn fromthe rack M2 and worm R2 ren specti'vely.

One face of the circular rack M2 is engraved with a graduated scale', and a pointer X (Figure 5) is pivotally mounted on a pin X1 fixed on the unit-holder F, so that the pointer may be moved over a short length of the scale. The advantage of this arrangement/,is that when the unit-carrier has been set so that the vimage is projected in an upright position uponv the image-screen, the pointer may be' moved on to the, zero graduation, and it is thus easier for the operator to calculate in his mind the figure of the -graduation for the next required position of the unit-carrier which is generally at 90 from the original position.

The unit-carrier U is in the form of a rectangular frame which has one face recessed to take the unit U1 forv example a sensitized photographic late. The top and bottom edges of this fiiame are provided with V-grooves. The plane containing the bottom of the recess, in which plane the sensitized face of the unit is arranged to lie, passes through the apex of the said grooves. These grooves are located between two V-guides M3 secured to the rotatable frame M of the unit-holder. The carrierframe U is provided with a handle U2 so that it can readily be slid in and out from between the V-guides. The advantage of this arrangement is that a surface of the unit will lie in the same plane for either of two reverse positions ofthe lunit-carrier in the holder, 'so that the unit-carrier may be inserted in either position into the holder.

It will be appreciated that the described step-and-repeat machine has the advantage that both the adjustment of the focus and the rotation of the unit as well as the adjustment of the image screen-holder can be effected by an operator from one and the same end of the machine, so that there is no need for him to change his position when making such adjustments.

It is to be understood that various modifications in details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a step-and-repeat machine, the combination with an image screen-holder, a rotatable unit-holder, a lens-holder between the same, adjusting means comprising a controlling member for moving the unitholder and lens-holder in a direction towards' and away from the screen-holder and relativel thereto at such different rates as automatically to maintain an image in focus on vthe screen, and controlling means comprising a controlling member for rotating said unit-holder about an axis lying in said direction, which controlling members are disposed one withinthe other and are operable manually from the same end.

2. `In a step-and-repeat machine, the combination with an image screen-holder, a lens-holder and a rotatable unit-holder arranged in a line with the two latterholders situated on one and the same side of the screen-holder, of controlling means comprising a controlling member for moving the unit-holder and lens-holder relatively to the screen-holder at such different rates as automatically to maintain an image in focus on the screen, and controlling means comprising a controlling member for rotating said unit-holder about an axis lying in the direction of said line, which controlling members are disposed coaxially one within the other and are operable manually from the same end.

3. In a step-and-repeat machine, the conibination with an image screen-holder, a rotatable unit-holder, a lens-holder between the same, adjusting means comprising a controlling member for moving the unitholder and lens-holder in a direction towards and away from the screen-holder and relatively thereto at such different rates as automatically to maintain animage in focus on the screen, and controlling means comprising a controlling-member for rotating said unit-holder about an axis lying in said direction, which controlling members extend respectively from said lens-holder and said unit-holder to beyond the said screenholder, and lare disposed one within the other and are operable manually at the end beyond the screen holder.

4. In a step-and-repeat machine. the combination with an image screen-holder, a lens-holder and a rotatable unit-holder arranged in a line with the two latter holders situated on one and the same side of the screen-holder, of controlling means comprising a controlling member for moving the unit-holder and lens-holder relatively to the screen-holder at such different rates as automatically to maintain an image in focus on the screen, and controlling means comprising a controlling member for rotating said unit-holder about an axis lying in the direction of said line, which controlling members are disposed coaxially one within the other and are operable manually each from the same .end situated on the side of the screen-holder remote from the lens-holder and unit-holder.

5. In a step-and-repeat machine, the cornbination with a frame, an image-screenholder, a lens-holder and a rotatable unitholder arranged thereon in a line with the two latter holders situated on one and the same side of the screen-holder, of adjusting means for moving the unit-holder and lens holder relatively to the screen holder at such different rates as automatically to maintain an image in focus on the screen, a controlling memberin the form of a tube rotatably mounted on said frame in a direction of length thereof and extending beyond said screen-holder and having a hand-wheel at that end, a gear member at the other end of said tube operatively connecting the latter with said adjusting means, means for rotating said unit-holder about an axis lying in thevdirectisn of said line, a second controlli-ng member in the form of a rod extending through said tube, a hand-wheel on the end of said rod situated beyond the screen-holder, and a gear member on the other end of said rod operatively connecting the same with said means for rotating the unit holder". e

6. In a step-and-repeat machine, the combination with a framework, a longitudinal lll) table slidable endwise. thereon in the direction of its length, a lens-holder carried by the table at one end thereof, anda rotatable lunit-holder mounted to move along the table towards and awayl from the lens-holder, of mechanism for reciprocatingv said table* on said framework and comprising a controlling member in the yform of a, tube, which tube is rotatably mounted on' the framework parallel with the direction of length thereof and extends at one end .beyond the end of the framework remote from the unitholder, and carries at that end a hand-wheel, and means for rotating said unit-holder comprising a rod extending through said tube and carrying a hand-wheel located within the former .hand-wheel.

7. In a step-and-repeat machine, the combination with an image screen-holder, a rotatable unit-holder, a lens-holder between the same, adjusting means comprising a controlling member for moving the unit-holder and lens-,holder in a direct-ion towards and away from the screen-holder and relatively thereto at such different rates as automatically to maintain an image in focus on the screen, said unit-holder comprising a frame, a curved toothed rackrotatable in the frame,

a unit-carrier rotatable by said rack about an axis lying in `said direction, means mounted on the frame and arranged to move towards and'away4 from the raek,a pinion carried by said means and arranged to mesh with and to be disengaged from said rack, and controlling means comprising a controlling member for rotating` said pinion, which controlling members are disposed one within the other and are operable manuallyfrom the same end.

8. In a step-and-repeat machine, the com' bination vwith an image screen-holder, a ro-` tatable unit-holder, a lens-holder between the same, adjusting means comprising. a controlling, member for movin'gthe unitliolder and lens-holder in a-l direction towards and away from the screen-holder and relatively thereto at such different rates as automatically to maintain an image in focusdisposed one within the other and are oper-A able manually lfrom the same end.

9. In a step-and-repeat machine, the combination with an image screen-holder, a rov tatable .unit-holder, a lens-holder between controlling member for rotating fandf havin trolling member for moving the unit-holder and lens-holder in a direction towards and away from the screen-holder and relatively thereto at such ,different rates as automatically to maintain an image in focus on the screen, said unit-holder comprising a frame, a circular toothed rack having a graduated scalerotatable in the frame, a unit-carrier rotatable by said rack about an axis lying in said direction, means mounted on the frame and arranged to move. towards and awayfrom the rack, a pinion carried by said means and arranged to mesh with and to be disengaged from `said rack, a pointer so mounted on said frame as to be movable overa short length of said scale, and controlling means comprising tlie controlling member for rotating said pinion, which conl trolling members are disposed one extending through the other andare operable manually from the sameend'.

I 10. Ina step-and-repeat machine, the combination with an image screen-holder, a rotatable unitTholder comprising a frame, a mount rotatable* in the latter, and a unit- Vcarrier detachably mounted in said mount and so arranged that a face of the unit in saidcarrier will be situated in the saine plane for either of two reversed positions of the unit-carrier insaid mount, a lens-holder between said screen-holder and said unitholder, adjusting means comprisin trolling memberfor moving the unit-holder and lens-holder in a direction towards and away from the screen-holder and relatively theretol at such different rates as automatically to maintain `an image in focus on the screen, and controlling means comprising a said unitholder Iabout an axis lying in said direction,

which controlling members are disposed one within the other and are operable manually from' the same end.

, 11, In a step-and-repeat machine, the combination with an image screen-holder, a ro.- tatable unit-holder, a lens-holder between the same, adjusting means comprising a conf trolling member for moving the unit-holder a d lens-holder in a direction towards and away from the screenliolder and relatively thereto at such different rates as automatically to maintain an image in focus on the screen, said unit-holder comprising a nonrotatable frame, a mount rotatable in the latter about an axis lying in saidv directionv twov parallel 'V-guides located one above t e-other, and a unit-carrier liaving two V-grooves, one along its top and the other along its bottom edge and arranged so to co-operate with said V-guides that a surface of theunit in said carrier will be situated in the plane containing the axes of said V-giiidesfor either of two reversed positions of the unit-carrier in said mount, a circular toothed rack on said mount, a handle mounta conlll() ed to rock on said frame towards and away the othery and are operable manually from from seid rack, a. pinion carried by said the side of'said screen-bolder remote from handle and arranged to'mesh with and be said unit-holder. l@ disengaged from said rack, and controlling In `1lbestimony whereof I aix my signa- 5 means comprising a controlling member for ture.

rotating said pinion, which controlling members are disposed one extending through ROBERT HARRIS., 

